Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, June 3, 2025 : Recent events within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) suggest that the party is grappling with internal tensions and public controversies involving some of its most prominent figures. Speculation is growing about the party leadership’s efforts to recalibrate its strategy, particularly regarding controversial figures such as Anubrata Mondal, whose influence within the party may be slowly waning.

Abhishek Banerjee, a central figure in the TMC, is expected to make a final decision about Mondal’s future within the party upon his return from an international trip. In the meantime, the party has swiftly moved to address other tensions, notably by suspending Bikramjit Shaw, a close ally of Mondal and the state president of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), following a violent incident that went viral on social media.

The incident, which took place in Birbhum’s Belagam, saw Bikramjit attack Bolpur IC Liton Halder during a live-streamed broadcast. Although the video was later deleted, it rapidly spread through local and regional political circles, causing significant public backlash. In response, the TMC issued a suspension letter on Sunday, with Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) state president Trinankur Bhattacharya confirming that Bikramjit Shaw would be suspended for six years from his role in the student wing. This swift action appears to be part of the party’s efforts to contain the damage and preserve its public image.

In the viral video, Bikramjit is heard making a series of inflammatory statements, accusing Liton Halder of corruption and even implying that Halder was planning to transfer his assets to Anubrata Mondal. The video’s inflammatory content, which included threats directed at Halder and his family, further fueled tensions within the party and the region.

The TMC’s response to the incident was immediate and decisive. Bhattacharya condemned Bikramjit’s actions as “unacceptable,” emphasizing that such behavior did not align with the party’s values. Although the video was deleted and the suspension handed down, the internal conflict remains a focal point within the party, raising questions about the influence of figures like Mondal and the potential power struggle within the TMC ranks.

Meanwhile, Anubrata Mondal himself continues to make headlines for his refusal to comply with police summons. Despite being summoned by the Bolpur SDPO on Saturday and Sunday, Mondal failed to appear both times. Instead, his lawyer presented a medical report explaining Mondal’s absence, stating that he had been advised bed rest for five days. Mondal’s supporters are now suggesting that he is the victim of a conspiracy, a narrative that his lawyer, Bipad Taran Bhattacharya, reiterated in an interview with the media.

Bhattacharya, while unwilling to elaborate on the details, insisted that Mondal’s case would be resolved through the legal system. He also expressed confidence in the law, judiciary, and administration, although he refrained from commenting further, citing the ongoing investigation.

Complicating matters, local TMC leader Debabrata Sarkar fueled rumors of a conspiracy, suggesting that artificial intelligence (AI) had been used to doctor an audio tape that allegedly captured Mondal’s conversation with Liton Halder. Sarkar’s comments were vague, but they seem to signal a coordinated effort to downplay the allegations against Mondal and shift the narrative to one of victimhood.

This chain of events has left the Trinamool Congress in a precarious position. With both Mondal and Shaw under intense scrutiny, the leadership must navigate a complex internal landscape. The suspension of Shaw and the ongoing controversy surrounding Mondal’s legal issues suggest that the party is facing challenges in controlling its own members and handling public relations effectively.

As the situation develops, it remains unclear whether these actions will lead to further fissures within the party or whether they will serve to reinforce the TMC’s resolve to manage its leadership more tightly. Whatever the outcome, the unfolding drama is likely to have lasting implications for the Trinamool Congress and its position in Bengal’s volatile political arena.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, June 2, 2025, Kolkata: Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s ongoing visit to West Bengal is not limited to political engagements; it also includes key government programs and strategic administrative discussions. During this state visit, a high-level meeting is scheduled in Kolkata today to address pressing issues concerning law and order, border security, and the implementation of the newly codified Indian Penal Code (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita).

According to official sources, the meeting will take place at a location near the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass around noon and will be chaired by the Union Home Secretary. Senior officials from the state, including the Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary, and the Director General of Police, are expected to be present. The agenda will focus primarily on enhancing border area security, resolving land-related challenges connected to the installation of border fencing, and outlining a structured plan for the rollout of the new legal code across the state.

The Union Home Department is set to present a detailed PowerPoint presentation to the state officials, highlighting the areas that require further administrative attention and intervention. This interaction forms a part of a coordinated effort to align central and state mechanisms for effective governance and security management.

The Union Home Secretary arrived in Kolkata ahead of the meeting to oversee preparations. Home Minister Amit Shah landed at Kolkata airport around 10 p.m. on Saturday. He was welcomed by a large group of BJP supporters and leaders at the airport. Amid cheering crowds, he acknowledged his supporters by halting his motorcade and waving to them. State BJP President Sukanta Majumdar accompanied him on the same flight, and they were later joined by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari during their onward journey from the airport.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, May 31, 2025 : The arrest of social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli by the Kolkata Police has ignited a fierce political and social debate. The 22-year-old law student and online personality was taken into custody on May 29, 2025, in Haryana’s Gurugram for allegedly making controversial remarks related to India’s Operation Sindoor, which sparked widespread outrage and led to her facing online death threats, including rape and violence.

The arrest follows a video posted by Panoli on May 14, where she made derogatory comments accusing Bollywood actors of remaining silent on Operation Sindoor, the Indian military operation in response to a deadly terrorist attack on Hindu pilgrims in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The attack, which took place on April 22, 2025, left 24 Hindu pilgrims dead, allegedly targeted due to their religious identity. In the video, Panoli voiced her protest against Pakistan’s alleged involvement, leading to her controversial statements that were seen as offensive to a particular religious community.

Legal and Procedural Debate:

While Panoli quickly deleted the video and publicly apologized for her remarks, the backlash continued. Her video went viral, particularly among a section of the Muslim community in Pakistan and India, where it was perceived as an “insult to Islam and Prophet Muhammad.” A coordinated online campaign followed, with threats against Panoli’s life, including rape, death, and calls for her beheading (a reference to the infamous “saar tan se juda” jihad slogan).

The Kolkata Police, however, defended their actions, stating that all legal procedures were followed during Panoli’s arrest. According to authorities, a warrant for Panoli’s arrest had been issued after she failed to respond to multiple notices. The police traveled over 1,500 km to arrest her in Gurugram, where she was brought to Kolkata on transit remand. The Alipore Court then sent her to judicial custody until June 13, 2025.

In contrast, social activists and some online users have rallied behind Panoli, arguing that her arrest was politically motivated and unlawful. Sunaina Hole, a prominent social activist, criticized the police, claiming they had initially lacked proper arrest documents. While this was later resolved with a magistrate’s order, Hole’s accusations of procedural missteps have drawn attention to the legal questions surrounding Panoli’s arrest.

Political Repercussions:

The incident has set off a political firestorm in West Bengal, particularly between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and opposition parties. The opposition BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has seized on the controversy to launch scathing attacks against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government. BJP leaders, including Khagen Murmu, have alleged that the state government is “appeasing” certain communities at the expense of Hindus, accusing Banerjee of turning the state into a “Bangladesh-like” territory where Hindus are under constant threat.

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh took the criticism further, linking the situation to broader religious tensions in the state. “In this state, flags of Hamas, Palestine, Pakistan, and even ISIS are seen. Yet the Ram Navami flag is being removed from cars. Is Kolkata being transformed into Dhaka?” Ghosh said, criticizing the state’s political climate, which he argues undermines Hindu identity.

A Divided Public:

The public response to Panoli’s arrest has been sharply divided. Many have expressed support for the influencer, calling for justice and fairness in handling online speech. Some critics of her arrest have noted that while her remarks may have been inappropriate, the threats of violence against her should have been investigated first. Meanwhile, others argue that Panoli’s video was a clear case of incitement and should have consequences.

The situation has also drawn attention to the growing influence of social media in Indian politics and society. Influencers like Panoli, who have large followings, now face heightened scrutiny, with their online actions having the potential to stir controversy and provoke violence, as evidenced by the online mob that targeted her.

BJP Protests and Future Developments:

The BJP has announced a state-wide protest in response to Panoli’s arrest, with planned rallies and demonstrations across West Bengal. A major protest program is also scheduled for April 12, 2025, during Hanuman Jayanti, which the BJP sees as an opportunity to further galvanize public opposition to the TMC’s policies and actions.

Meanwhile, Panoli’s legal team is preparing for her court appearance, where she will be seeking bail. Her arrest has also raised questions about free speech, the role of social media influencers, and the balance between protecting public order and ensuring individual rights in an increasingly polarized political climate.

As the situation continues to unfold, both legal and political experts are closely monitoring the developments, particularly as it pertains to the freedom of expression in the digital age and the challenges of balancing national security, communal harmony, and individual rights.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 30, 2025, Kolkata: During a public address in Nadia’s Dhantala as part of the Tiranga Yatra on Thursday, West Bengal Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, voiced criticism regarding certain administrative actions of the state government, particularly concerning the School Service Commission (SSC) and the recruitment process in the education sector.

Adhikari alleged that a recent notification issued in the name of the SSC had not followed appropriate procedural norms, claiming that such notifications should come directly from the commission itself, rather than being announced by the Chief Minister. He further commented on the announcement of an increase in vacant posts within the state’s recruitment framework, suggesting that such measures must align with existing legal frameworks, including the directives of the Supreme Court.

In his address, Adhikari expressed solidarity with job seekers and unemployed educators in the state. He asserted that the recruitment issues stemmed from systemic administrative failures and called for corrective measures to restore fairness and transparency. While speaking to the media, he assured that any steps taken outside the bounds of the law would be opposed and addressed accordingly.

Adhikari also questioned the inclusion of certain communities in the state’s Other Backward Classes (OBC) list. Referring to the addition of 111 communities, a majority of which are reportedly under judicial review, he raised concerns about the implications for social equity and ongoing legal scrutiny.

The Leader of the Opposition concluded by stating that his focus remains on safeguarding the rights of job aspirants and ensuring lawful governance. His comments are part of a broader political discourse in the lead-up to the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, with employment and education likely to remain central issues in the public debate.